The Ogun State Police Command and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have recovered a nine-year old boy, Taiwo Korede, from the Celestial Church of Christ (Key of Joy Parish, Ajiwo) at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Council of the state.
The NSCDC stated that the victim, who was allegedly chained for weeks at the church premises, was freed on Friday, “at about 10:30hrs at Ajibawo in Ado Odo/Ota Division 2” adding that he was immediately taken to a health centre, where the chains were removed after grueling hours to avoid hurting him.
Although the Corps did not disclose how the boy was discovered, it explained that the boy’s appearance showed traces of torture, noting that he might have been starved of food for days.
“The case has since been transfer to the appropriate authority for further investigation,” NSCDC added.
But police operatives, attached to Onipanu Division, Ota, who are also claiming credit for the rescue, said the boy was chained by his biological father, Pastor Taiwo Francis, who is said to be the shepherd of the church, for more than a month.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police said it got a tip-off from a neighbour in the community, and immediately swung into action, “and moved to the said church, where the victimised young Korede was chained, and rescued him. The stepmother of Korede, Kehinde Taiwo, F, who has been arrested by the police, revealed that Korede’s father’s cruel act was connected to the alleged habit of stealing exhibited by Korede.
“The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 2 Command Lagos, who is presently on ground in Ogun State, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, has condemned the pastor’s criminal and inhuman act and directed that the matter be properly handled, while the fleeing pastor be apprehended without delay. He has ordered that the young boy, Korede, be given proper medical attention.”
